The loss of Mbah a Moute left many wondering what Houston's plan was for the offseason, with its perimeter depth in ruins. Reports had been surfacing of Houston's desire to sign forward Carmelo Anthony upon the resolution of his impasse with the Oklahoma City Thunder. If traded, Anthony is likely to be bought out by the acquiring team, and then free to explore the open market. But Anthony has never been confused for a defensive stopper, and Houston's perimeter versatility was a large factor in its defensive revival last season. The Rockets finished sixth overall in defensive efficiency.

On the face of it, the swap of Ariza and Mbah a Moute for Ennis, 28, seems like a classic Daryl Morey move. Houston extracted full value from the veteran forwards and then opted to replace them with the cheaper, younger option. 6'6 guard Michael-Carter Williams, acquired by the Rockets last week, also fits that mold.

Ennis, 6'7, shot 39% on corner 3's a year ago, figuring to fill Mbah a Moute's role in the Houston offense. Houston, still armed with its full $5.3 million midlevel exception, could target Anthony and still feel confident about its overall team defense. And as I speculated last week, a trade of forward Ryan Anderson for another defensive-minded wing could balance the roster even further.

For example, if the Rockets and Atlanta Hawks were to agree on a swap of Ryan Anderson and forward Kent Bazemore, with the Rockets including a draft pick in the deal as a sweetener, the Rockets would have fully replenished its stable of long-armed wing defenders from last season with Ennis, Bazemore, and P.J. Tucker, filling the role of Ariza, Mbah a Moute, and Tucker. Additionally, the hope is probably that the spot backup point guard minutes received by Williams could add another wrinkle to the Houston defense, given his size relative to the position. Williams is one of the worst shooters in the league, but the Houston defense, which he fits perfectly in theory, is the more delicate variable.

Anderson became unplayable last season against the Warriors and Anthony would not likely fare any better on the defensive end. But where Anderson lost all his confidence in his outside shot, becoming a complete liability on both ends, the thinking might be that Anthony could attack close-outs or switches against smaller defenders in a way Anderson wouldn't have a chance. While Anthony shot just 40% overall from the floor last season, that mark would figure to improve playing next to Chris Paul.

This conceived reconstruction is not without risk. The Rockets had possibly their best chemistry in over twenty years last season. And Ariza was the longest tenured member of the team after James Harden. They have now parted ways with 30% of their rotation, with center Clint Capela's status still in limbo. Ariza may have lost a step, but he was unquestionably vital to the team's defensive cohesion. Its doubtful Ennis can fill that leadership void as a newcomer.

I am an attorney specialized in Public Finance, Municipal Tax, and Open Government, living in Houston, Texas. I have been covering the Houston Rockets since 2009 at Red94.net, formerly ESPN.com’s TrueHoop Network Houston Rockets affiliate. I am the host of The Red94 Podcast...